Trump Administration Deals With Fallout from Leaked Chat

A leaked Signal chat involving senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense secretary Pete Hegseth, has sparked controversy over its discussion of airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The chat, which inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed sensitive details about US military planning and intelligence-sharing with Israel. Israeli officials reportedly expressed anger over the exposure of intelligence provided by their sources in Yemen, while critics argue the leak may have compromised U.S. intelligence operations and endangered lives.

The Trump administration has denied that classified information was shared, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifying that no sources or methods were disclosed.

President Trump so far has defended Waltz, who is believed to have added Goldberg to the chat, as a "good man.” Trump has continued to refuse calls to remove Waltz from his administration.

 

US Government Vows to Crack Down on Tesla Attacks

Tesla vehicles and dealerships have faced escalating attacks, including arson, vandalism, and gunfire, as protests grow against CEO Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics blame Musk for federal agency cuts and workforce reductions, sparking the ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement.

 The Trump administration has responded forcefully, with Attorney General Pam Bondi labeling the acts "domestic terrorism" and promising severe penalties. The FBI has launched a task force to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

 

100 Years Later: Remembering the Deadliest Tornado in US History

Today marks the somber centennial of the Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest tornado in United States history, which tore through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

The F5 tornado carved a devastating path of destruction spanning 219 miles, maintaining contact with the ground for an unprecedented 3.5 hours. Weather experts estimate the tornado's winds exceeded 300 mph as it thundered across the Midwest with little warning.

In its wake, the tornado left 695 people dead, more than 2,000 injured, and destroyed or damaged thousands of buildings. Entire towns were effectively wiped off the map. Murphysboro, Illinois suffered the greatest loss with 234 fatalities, while the small mining community of West Frankfort lost 148 residents.

What made the Tri-State Tornado particularly deadly was its unusual characteristics. Unlike typical twisters, it lacked the familiar funnel shape, appearing instead as a massive rolling cloud of debris that many witnesses didn't recognize as a tornado until it was too late. The storm also moved at an exceptional speed of 60-70 mph, giving residents precious little time to seek shelter.

At the time, weather forecasting was in its infancy, with no radar systems or modern warning infrastructure. Most victims had mere minutes or seconds to react as the mile-wide storm approached.

A century later, the Tri-State Tornado remains a pivotal event in American weather history that helped drive advances in tornado forecasting, warning systems, and public safety measures that continue to save lives today.

Ruins of Longfellow School in Murphysboro, Illinois, where 17 children perished when the Tri-State Tornado struck at approximately 2:30 PM, devastating the building and forever changing the community

This article was written with the help of generative artificial intelligence.

Musk’s Role in DOGE Ignites Layoff Wave, Controversy

Elon Musk, in his role as de facto head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has continued his controversial role in aggressively pursuing federal workforce reductions, which have already impacted tens of thousands of federal workers in layoffs and buyout offers.

The Trump administration has escalated these efforts, ordering federal agencies to submit plans for "large-scale reductions in force" by mid-March, as well continuing its return to office mandates for federal workers.

Musk's leadership style, which includes demanding productivity justifications from employees via email, has drawn criticism. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at further dismissals for those who fail to respond to Musk's directives.

These actions have raised concerns and sparked legal challenges about the impact on public services. Critics argue that many of Musk has too much power in the administration and questioned his authority to make these decisions. Musk has been classed as a “special government employee” in his role in the administration.

 

Actor Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa Die Under Suspicious Circumstances

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe, NM home this week. Their bodies, along with their deceased dog, were discovered during a welfare check on Wednesday. While authorities initially stated no foul play was suspected, a search revealed suspicious details. 

Hackman's body was found in an entryway, while Arakawa was in the bathroom near a space heater. The unlocked door, scattered pills, and signs of decomposition have prompted a thorough investigation into the Hollywood legend’s death.

 

Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.

 

Investigation Begins Into Tragic Mid-Air Crash Near DC

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun its investigation into the cause of the disastrous mid-air collision between a commercial regional jet and a US Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The collision killed all 64 aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita and all 3 US servicemembers aboard the helicopter.

Investigators have recovered all three black boxes from the downed passenger jet, allowing access to the flight data.

The plane, a Bombardier CRJ701ER, was about to land after it collided with the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, operating as part of a training mission. Air traffic controllers asked the helicopter’s operators if it could see a regional jet as it was flying near the airport. The helicopter operator confirmed being able to view the jet, but the operator is believed to have spotted the wrong aircraft and did not see Flight 5342 approaching.

The air traffic control tower was understaffed at the time of the accident. The investigation is expected to confirm what role, if any, that played in the collision.

 

Medical Plane Crashes in Philadelphia

A Learjet 55 crashed in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at approximately 6:30 PM local time near the Roosevelt Mall, just minutes after it departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The flight, a hospital plane carrying six people, was en route to Springfield, Missouri, for refueling on its way to Tijuana, Mexico.

The impact was recorded by numerous dashcams and other cameras, showing the plane crashing at a high speed, pointing to a likely mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Emergency crews responded to put out the structure and vehicle fires caused by ignited jet fuel. No fatalities on the ground have been confirmed.

 

Recent NYC Subway Burning Murder Highlights Safety Concerns

The horrific murder of Debrina Kawam, a New Jersey woman, on the New York City subway has reignited safety concerns for NYC residents and visitors. On December 22, 2024, a woman was fatally set on fire while sleeping on an F train in Brooklyn. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant residing illegally, was charged with murder and arson.

The attack, along with other recent violent crimes, has heightened fears among riders despite increased security measures. Governor Hochul deployed additional National Guard members and installed cameras in subway cars, yet many New Yorkers remain skeptical about their safety on public transportation.

 

H-1B Visa Debate Exposes Division in Conservative Ranks

A heated debate over H-1B visas has emerged among conservatives, highlighting tensions between right-leaning tech industry advocates and "America First" supporters within President-elect Donald Trump's base. The controversy has been particularly visible on social media, where figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both Trump advisers, have faced backlash for supporting the visa program. Musk has emphasized what he calls a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent" in the U.S., while in an X post Ramaswamy criticized American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, suggesting a need for foreign tech talent.

This stance has sparked the ire of other osn the right,  many of whom view the H1-B program as undercutting wages of American citizens through. Opponents of the program have posted screenshots of H-1B jobs, many of which have listed salaries close to the American median or even below.

As this debate unfolds, it may pose a significant challenges for Trump as he navigates between the GOP’s newfound tech industry support and the expectations of his broader voter base.

 

Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100

Former US President James Early "Jimmy" Carter dies Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, turned 100 in October of this year. 

Jimmy Carter, the 39th 
president of the United States,
died Sunday at 100

Carter was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, Georgia, the eldest son of businessman James Earl Carter, Sr. and his wife Lilian. Graduating from Plains High School in 1941, he attended college at Georgia Southwestern College and Georgia Tech before being nominated to attend the US Naval Academy in 1943, graduating in 1946. During this time he fell in love with his future wife, Rosalynn Smith, and married her in 1946. 

Carter served as an active duty naval officer until 1953, focusing on the use of nuclear technology in the Navy. He moved back to Plains after the death of his father and became a successful agricultural businessman.

Carter turned to politics in the 1960s as a staunch opponent of segregation, first serving a s Sumter County school board member and then Georgia state senator. He first ran for governor in 1966, losing in the Democratic primary. He ran again in 1970, winning the primary and the general to become Georgia's 76th governor. During his term as governor, he focused on integration efforts, civil rights issues, and reforming government hiring practices. 

Prohibited from running for a second term under the term limits in place at the time, he announced presidential campaign in 1974. Running an energetic, ubiquitous primary campaign, he won the Democratic nomination, and benefitting from the fatigue of Watergate, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the general.

His presidency, initially marked by optimism, faced major challenges, including high inflation combined with sluggish economic growth (stagflation), the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Iranian Islamist revolution resulting in the American embassy worker hostage crisis. He appointed Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman, who is often credited for helping to end the high inflation of the era, though this relief came after Carter's presidency had ended.

Carter's achievements included the Camp David Accords that established relations between Israel and Egypt, signing the SALT II nuclear arms reduction treaty with the Soviet Union, and deregulating the airline industry.

Carter, facing low approval ratings, lost reelection in 1980 to former California Governor Ronald Reagan. Carter then started the longest post-presidency in American history, lasting nearly 44 years. He returned home to Plains, notably leading a Sunday School class at his church. Carter devoted his post-presidency to several causes, including disease eradication, building homes as part of Habitat for Humanity, and promoting democratic reforms in countries across the world. For his diplomatic and human rights work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. 

Carter's Nobel Prize on display the Carter Presidential
Library and Museum in Atlanta, GA

Carter survived several health challenges, including metastatic melanoma in 2015 and a broken hip in 2019. 

In 2023, he decided to go into hospice care rather than continue receiving curative treatment for an unspecified disease. Rosalynn, who had been diagnosed earlier with dementia, died in 2023. Carter attended her funeral in his first public appearance since entering hospice.

In 2024, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday and supported Kamala Harris for president in the presidential race. 

Carter was the longest lived president in US history. 

Upon news of Carter's death, all living former presidents issued statements marking his passing, praising his attitude of public service and his productive post-presidency. President Joe Biden, an early endorser of Carter's 1976 campaign, praised Carter in a statement and said Carter will receive a state funeral. 

Trump Rounds Out His Administration, Threatens New Tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump has largely filled major administration positions after his victory over Kamala Harris earlier this month.

Major picks include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Army National Guard major and political commentator Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as treasury secretary, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as attorney general (replacing the withdrawn nominee Matt Gaetz).

Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager and daughter of sportscasting legend Paul Summerall, will become his chief of staff, the first woman to hold that position.

On the policy front, Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, intending to implement a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, on top of existing tariffs. These sweeping measures would affect a wide range of products, potentially impacting automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods.

Trump has stated that these tariffs will remain in place until certain conditions are met. For Canada and Mexico, the tariffs would be lifted when the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States is controlled. For China, the country would need to halt the export of illegal drugs to the US before the additional tariff would be removed.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has visited Mar-a-Lago in an effort to begin talks with Trump prior to the tariff implementation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a more aggressive approach, threatening retaliatory tariffs and blaming American drug consumption for the opioid crisis.

 

GOP Achieves Narrow House Majority

Republicans have won 220 seats in the US House of Representatives, two more needed to win the majority. One California seat remains too close to call, with the Democratic challenger leading the GOP incumbent by nearly 200 votes as of November 30. A GOP victory in the seat would bring the Republicans to 221 seats, one less than their majority after the 2022 midterm elections.

While the Republican majority will be narrow and will make passing President-elect Trump’s agenda more difficult, it remains a welcome development for the GOP given most election prognosticators predicting a Democratic majority in the House. Republicans managed to offset losses in New York (partially through redistricting), California, and Oregon through picking up seats in North Carolina (largely through redistricting), Pennsylvania, Michigan, Alaska, and Colorado.

The narrow majority may make Speaker Mike Johnson’s political calculus more difficult given Trump’s poaching of Elise Stefanik, Michael Waltz, and Matt Gaetz (since withdrawn but not returning to House) for his administration. With the three resignations, the House majority becomes 220-213.

 

Trump, Harris Making Closing Arguments Ahead of Nov. 5

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are making last minute appeals to get their supporters to the polls as election day approaches. Both candidates are effectively tied nationwide and in seven key swing states, though Trump has an advantage in the polling aggregate nationwide and in 5 of the 7 states, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate as of October 30th.

Both recently held what could be considered capstone rallies, with Trump holding his at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and Harris at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. In both rallies, the candidates largely reiterated their familiar campaign talking points. Trump’s focused his on combatting illegal immigration along with his proposals to eliminate taxes on taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits. Harris focused hers on protecting abortion rights and fighting against what she sees as threats to democracy emanating from Trump’s actions and rhetoric, particularly after the 2020 election.

Betting markets as of October 30th place Trump as the slight favorite to win the election, with a Trump victory paying out approximately 65 cents to a Harris victory’s approximate 35 cents.

 

Southeast Reels from Hurricanes: Helene and Milton’s Devastation

The US Southeast continues to face significant challenges in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck in rapid succession in late September and early October. Hurricane Helene resulted in over 200 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina. Hurricane Milton, while having a lower death toll at 35, virtually ties Helene for total damages, making the combined damages from both hurricanes estimated at just under $175 billion.

In response, the federal government has approved nearly $2 billion in aid for six affected states, and FEMA has deployed over 1,400 personnel to assist with recovery efforts. State governments have also mobilized National Guard units and established emergency hotlines to support residents.

As communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding, many residents remain without power or running water. Despite these hardships, there are stories of resilience and solidarity. In devastated western North Carolina, volunteers are using mules to deliver supplies to remote areas as restoration contractors work tirelessly to repair homes and businesses.

 

Hurricane Milton Intensifies, Threatens Florida's West Coast

Latest projected path of Milton from NOAA and
the National Weather Service

Hurricane Milton, currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico, is rapidly intensifying and poses a significant threat to Florida's west coast. The storm, which formed on Saturday, is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall midweek.

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Milton was located more than 800 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is moving eastward at 6 mph and is forecast to continue on this general path before turning northeast towards Florida.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Milton could become a Category 4 hurricane with winds of up to 140 mph as it approaches the Florida Peninsula. However, there is still uncertainty in the forecast, with some models suggesting the storm could reach Category 5 strength. The primary threats from Hurricane Milton include life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall. Forecasters warn that certain areas could receive up to a foot of rain by Wednesday night, leading to potential flooding of waterways and streets. Storm surge and wind impacts are expected to begin as early as late Tuesday or Wednesday along Florida's west coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state less than two weeks ago. Mandatory evacuations are already in place in some parts of the state, and officials are urging residents to finalize their storm preparations immediately.

Residents in the potential path of Hurricane Milton are advised to have their hurricane preparedness plans ready and to heed any guidance from local officials. This includes stocking up on essential supplies, securing outdoor items, and being prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so. Some locations are already offering sandbags to residents.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton is particularly concerning given the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the minimal vertical wind shear, conditions that are conducive to strengthening. These same conditions led to the explosive growth of Helene just two weeks ago. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that regardless of the exact strength at landfall, there is growing confidence that a powerful hurricane with life-threatening hazards will be affecting portions of the Florida west coast around the middle of this week.

Hurricane and storm surge watches are expected to be issued for portions of the Florida coastline by Sunday. Residents throughout Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys and northwestern Bahamas, are urged to stay informed about the storm's progress and be prepared to take action if necessary.

This article was written with the help of AI.

Jimmy Carter Turns 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has reached a significant milestone by becoming the first former American president to turn 100. His centennial birthday, celebrated on October 1, 2024, marks a historic achievement for the former peanut farmer from Georgia who rose to global prominence as a world leader during the penultimate decade of the Cold War. 

While Carter is the first former president to reach this milestone, he joins a small club of centenarians in U.S. politics. Alf Landon, the 1936 Republican presidential nominee, also lived to be 100, but Carter's longevity as a former commander-in-chief stands alone in the nation’s history.

In 2015, at age 91, he was diagnosed with melanoma, which had spread to his brain, which he successfully beat. In November 2023, Rosalynn, his beloved wife of 77 years, passed away at the age of 96. Their union remains the longest marriage of any presidential couple in U.S. history. For the past 19 months, Carter has been receiving hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, but has continued to defy the odds, culminating in his centennial celebration this month. 

As Jimmy Carter celebrates his centennial, his life serves as a beacon of resilience, service, and leadership, with an enduring legacy that has touched millions across the world as a result of his post-presidency service. 

Hurricane Helene Leaves Destruction Across US Southeast

Hurricane Helene, the first major hurricane to strike the US this year, left billions of dollars in damage and dozens dead across the US Southeast. The fast-moving, large storm made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region as a category 4 storm before quickly moving into Georgia, snapping trees and damaging buildings with its high winds. Coastal cities like Cedar Key, Florida, were inundated with record-high storm surge, destroying many buildings not built on stilts. The surge in Tampa, hundreds of miles away from where the storm made landfall, also exceeded the surge from Idalia back in 2023.

The storm quickly moved north, dumping torrential rainfall in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Dams in North Carolina nearly reached their breaking point as flood waters moved into population centers, with the city of Asheville, North Carolina becoming isolated from surrounding areas by floodwaters. Videos have shown houses floating away after they were swept off their foundations. One town, Chimney Rock, was nearly completely wiped away by flooding.

Helene, the second major Atlantic hurricane of this season, quickly intensified from a tropical storm in the western Caribbean, dumping rain on eastern Cuba and on the Yucatan Peninsula. The warm ocean waters of the western Caribbean and eastern Gulf of Mexico allowed the storm’s windspeeds to reach 140 mph at landfall, and the storm’s large size allowed it to move high storm surge into a wide area.

Another group of storms is developing close to where Helene first formed in the western Caribbean and may form into another storm this week. Its exact track is still unknown.

 

Harris Slightly Ahead of Trump Nationally as Campaign Enters Final Stretch

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hold a narrow but steady lead over former President Donald Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling average, edging Trump by 2 points nationally. Trump and Harris are essentially tied in the battleground states that will determine the election, with Trump slightly ahead in Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina. If Trump wins all three states, he only needs to win in Pennsylvania to beat Harris, where Harris holds a very slight lead in polling. Harris has small but slightly larger leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada.

Harris also picked up some polling momentum after the ABC News presidential debate, with Trump’s performance criticized as unfocused. Trump in turn criticized the debate moderators for only factchecking him and not Harris for untrue statements.

Vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance will meet this Thursday for the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS.

Harris has led Trump in fundraising since Biden’s July withdrawal from the race, raising over $540 million. In August, the DNC and Harris campaign raised $257 million to the RNC and Trump’s $85 million.